MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island legislators secured more than $400 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for various projects across the island.

The Big Island’s portion of the budget included funding for the new Kona judiciary complex, the Kona airport terminal expansion and other airports improvements, various highway improvements and monies for Hawaii island schools.

Notable CIP funding highlights for Hawaii County include:

· $79.309 million for terminal expansion and other improvements for Kona International Airport

· $33 million for the design and construction of a new instructional facility for the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Pharmacy

· $35 million for the design, engineering, and construction of a Judiciary Complex in Kona

· $14.89 million for the construction and equipment of a specialty and support classroom building at Waimea Middle School

· $2 million for improvements to the Waimea irrigation system

· A total of $5.4 million for improvements for the Lower Hamakua Ditch watershed project

· $3.5 million for the design and construction of a community agricultural park in Waimea

· $3 million for the plans, land acquisition, design, construction and equipment for the Keeau Demonstration Facility to develop biofuel animal feed in Keeau

· A total of $14.517 million for various improvements to the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA)

· $2 million for the construction of a student drop-off and parking area at Honokaa Elementary School

· $3 million for improvements to athletic facilities at Honokaa High School

· $250,000 for the design of a covered play court and site improvements at Kamalii Elementary School

· $550,000 for improvements to athletic facilities at Kau High School

· $300,000 for upgrades to the Kealakehe High School track

· $675,000 for the construction of covered walkways and site improvements to Keaau Middle School

· $275,000 for ground and safety improvements at Keaau High School

· $250,000 for lighting system for gymnasium at Konawaena High School

· $3.86 million for gymnasium renovations and improvements at Pahoa High and Intermediate School

· $1.05 million for the design and construction of a covering for the existing play court at Waiakea Elementary School

· $450,000 for the design and construction of a new batting cage at Waiakea High School

· $800,000 for the plans and design of a new regional library in Pahoa

· $7.9 million for improvements to the Youth Challenge Academy, Keaukaha Military Reservation

· $300,000 for plans and design of a new West Hawaii Veterans Center

· $1.61 million for a non-potable well at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery

· $2.55 million to plug two geothermal wells and to restore well sites

· $3 million for the design and construction for Puu Waawaa structure improvements and dam compliance

· $3.5 million for Manuka Natural Area Reserve boundary fence

· $13 million for the design and construction of Phase 1 of the Waimea District/Regional Park

· A total of $43.4 million for new aircraft rescue and firefighting station and other various improvements at Hilo International Airport

· $3 million for various improvements to the Ellison S. Onizuka Space Museum

· $1.425 million for modification plans to improve navigational safety and operational efficiencies at Hilo Harbor

· $12.41 million for various improvements to Mamalahoa Highway

· $7.570 million for realignment construction and widening of Akoni Pule Highway on the Pololu Valley side of Aamakao Gulch

· $10.71 million for various improvements to Hawaii Belt Road

· $2.215 million for the construction of miscellaneous improvements to existing intersections and highway facilities necessary for improved traffic operation

· A total of $9.175 million for the extension design of Saddle Road from the Hilo Terminus to Queen Kaahumanu Highway

· $6.75 million for land acquisition and the design of Puainako Street from two to four lanes between Kanoelehua Street to Komohana Street

· $7.622 for the construction of a Saddle Road maintenance baseyard facility

· A total of $27.7 million for the widening of Queen Kaahumanu Highway to a four-lane divided highway from Kealakehe Parkway to the vicinity of Keahole Airport

· $1 million for the construction of sidewalk and intersection improvements on Mamane Street from Lehua Street to Plumeria Street

· $3.5 million for the plans, design, and construction of a traffic signal at the Pahoa bypass and Post Office Road intersection

· $7 million for various improvements along state highways, including guardrail and shoulder improvements

· $2 million for the alignment and replacement of the Waiaka Stream Bridge along Kawaihae Road

· $2 million for intersection improvements at Highway 130 and Homestead Road

· $2 million for infrastructure improvements to the University of Hawaii-Hilo Office of Mauna Kea Management

· $2.5 million to the University of Hawaii-Hilo College of Astronomy for the modernization and repair of the 2.2 meter telescope on Mauna Kea

· $500,000 to the University of Hawaii-Hilo College of Agricultural, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management for the plans, design, and construction to establish the temporary international flight training center at the Hilo Airport.

· $600,000 for renovations to the nursing and culinary buildings at the University of Hawaii- West Hawaii campus

· $2.4 million for the design and completion of Phase 1 at the University of Hawaii – Palamanui Campus

· $2.5 million for improvements to the Ka‘u Irrigation System

In addition to the executive budget CIP funding, appropriations for Grants-In-Aid were also awarded to organizations for the benefit of the Big Island community:

· $1.7 million to Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana (KALO) for the construction of a new community recreation center in Kamuela

· $500,000 for the construction of a new Island Heritage Gallery at the Lyman House Memorial Museum

· $1.5 million to the Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association, Inc. for the construction of Phase 2 of the Waiohuli Community Center and park master plan

· $950,000 to Lai Opua 2020 (L2020) for improvements to the parking lot and roadway. L2020 is a community group focused on supporting communal needs and the coordination of facilities and services for residents of the Villages of Lai Opua and the broader Kealakehe area

· $643,000 to the Salvation Army for the renovation of the Family Intervention Services facility in Hilo

· $250,000 to The Food Basket, Inc. (Hawaii Island Food Bank) for infrastructure repairs and maintenance

· $1 million to the Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation for the construction of a new adult day care facility

· $750,000 for the design of a new free-standing emergency room at the Puna Community Medical Center

· $425,000 for the design and construction of a community based outpatient clinic and box culvert at the Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial

· $751,000 to the Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council for various equipment and improvements including the design and construction for emergency repairs and handicapped access improvements; vehicles for the transportation program; and the design, construction and equipment for a botanical garden

· $1.5 million to the Kahilu Theatre Foundation for improvements to existing facilities

· $30,000 to the Brantley Center, Inc. for renovations of existing facilities in Honokaa. A partner of Hawaii Island United Way, The Brantley Center provides training and support individuals with disabilities so they may overcome barriers in the community

· $200,000 to the Hawaii Island Humane Society for Phase 1 of the Hawaii Island Animal Community Center

· $75,000 to Child and Family Services to support operations and rent subsidies for transitional housing in East Hawaii

· $200,000 to the Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council for the Drop-Out Prevention Program which provides educational and support services to students at-risk of dropping out of school

· $92,362 to Kalani Honua to assist with the restoration of the Pahoa Intermediate and High School eight-man football program

· $200,000 to the Kona Historical Society for the Hawaii Island Museum Outreach Project which provides a wide range of academic, community, and volunteer services

· $107,672 to Malama O Puna to restore priority areas of the Keauohana native lowland wet forest

· $79,214 to Project Vision Hawaii to expand health screening services for the poor and disabled across Hawaii island

· $15,000 to the Volcano Art Center to equip the Hale Hoomana building with the basic tools to support a range of teaching programs that will serve a diverse population of Hawaii residents and visitors

· $20,000 to the Anekona Ouli Kanehoa VFD Company for the construction of a volunteer apparatus garage

· $60,000 to the Kailapa Community Association for the plans and design of the Kailapa Community Resource Center

· $1 million for the construction of the West Hawaii Community Health Center at Laiopuna in Kona

Representatives Contact Information:

Rep. Richard Creagan (Naalehu, Ocean View, Capt. Cook, Kealakekua, Kailua-Kona)
(808) 586-9605
repcreagan@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Cindy Evans (North Kona, North Kohala, South Kohala)
(808) 586-8510
repevans@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Faye Hanohano (Puna)
(808) 586-6530
rephanohano@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Nicole Lowen (Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Kalaoa, Honokohau)
(808) 586-8400
replowen@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Mark Nakashima (Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo)
(808) 586-6680
repnakashima@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Richard Onishi (Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano)
(808) 586-6120
reponishi@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Clift Tsuji (Keaukaha, parts of Hilo, Panaewa, Waiakea)
(808) 586-8480
reptsuji@capitol.hawaii.gov